Worthing Charity Guild Care will be launching a £100K appeal on February 2nd at 1.30pm for their Healthy Living Centre for older people and carers and the Lovett Centre. Service users from the centres will be entertained by Sussex Storyteller Jamie Crawford as part of National Storytelling Week. Jamie’s dramatised local tales of ‘The Bosham Bell’ and ‘Knucker’s Hole’ set in Lyminster give a real insight into the storyteller’s art. As part of the appeal Guild Care will be releasing their own series of stories about the people that use their services to highlight their appeal.
The two centres run an innovative programme which encourages wellbeing, fitness and quality of life through exercise, therapies, crafts, games, support and information.
Jill Lancaster, Healthy Living Services Manager said ‘Over 400 older people and carers up to the age of 99 participate in the programme over the year; with an average of over 70 a day across both centres. The programme also supports outreach work and health awareness raising events in the community, reaching many more.’
Guild Care’s Chief Executive, Suzanne Millard said ‘This appeal will enable us to sustain the existing innovative programme which is so important to older people in the community. The target of £100K for the Healthy Living Programme, to cover the 2010 shortfall, will be split between trust fundraising applications and community fundraising. We hope the local community and businesses will support us as they did for our 75th Anniversary Appeal.’
A restructure of the service is underway to ensure best value for money, improve customer service and to deliver a more sustainable service for the long term. The centres total operating costs are £360k per annum part of which is funded from Statutory Authorities.
If you would like to make a donation to the appeal please go to our online donation page or contact the fundraising department on 01903 528630.